Reduced co-production of toluene and C.sub.9 and higher aromatics such as trimethylbenzene, methylethylbenzene, and diethylbenzene is achieved in processes for the isomerization of xylenes to close to equilibrium using a layered catalyst having a thin outer layer of molecular sieve and hydrogenation metal component on a core, wherein at least about 75 mass-% of the hydrogenation metal component is in the outer layer.